Mixer apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus and an associated method is disclosed for mixing material in a container in response to an applied rotational force at one end of a shaft protruding through an aperture in a skirted lid placed over the open end of the container imparting a rotating motion to an agitator-mixing head at the opposite end of the shaft. The skirted lid provides a snug-fit or seal between the container and the skirted lid.

1 . Apparatus, comprising: 
 a lid configured for placement over an open end of a container bucket to cover said open end;    a mixing rod configured as an axially elongated shaft having a predetermined desired length arranged with an agitator-mixing head at a first end and a second end opposite said first end configured for receiving an applied rotational force to impart a rotating movement to said agitator-mixing head at said first end; and    said lid further configured with an aperture generally centrally located on an upper outwardly facing surface of said lid and sized for receiving said second end of said shaft so that a portion of said shaft in the region of said second end protrudes above said upper outwardly facing surface of said lid and said agitator-mixing head is positioned within said container in response to said lid being placed over said open end of said container.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said lid is further configured with a skirt along an outer peripheral region of said lid such that said skirt is arranged to overlap a portion of the outer peripheral surface in the region of said container open end in response to said lid being placed over said open end of said container.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said skirt is formed as an integral portion of said lid.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said skirt is constructed of a suitable sheet-like material extending downwardly from said lid a predetermined desired distance to a lower edge spaced from said upper surface of said lid.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 4  wherein said skirt suitable sheet-like material has a memory retentive somewhat stretchable and conformable material such that the inwardly facing lower edge region surface of said skit forms a contact surface seal with said outwardly facing peripheral surface of said container.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 5  wherein said skirt is made of a suitable elastomeric material.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said lid is constructed as a plastic injection molded lid.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said aperture is oblong shaped for accommodating tilting of said shaft extending there-through for positioning said agitator-mixing head at a desired location within said container.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said agitator-mixing head further comprises a plurality of axially spaced radial extending somewhat curved contoured vanes configured for imparting an upward moving force on a material held within said container in response to rotation of said agitator-mixing head in a first direction for mixing the material.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 9  wherein said plurality of vanes are equidistant axially spaced from one another.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 9  wherein said agitator-mixing head is further configured with a circumferential ring for adding rigidity to said vanes.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 9  wherein said agitator-mixing head is made of a suitable injection molded plastic material.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein said lid is further configured with spaced apart clips located on said upper surface of said lid for receiving and releasably holding said shaft such that said shaft and attached agitator-mixing head is self-storing on said lid.  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus, comprising: 
 means for mixing material in a container in response to an applied rotational force at one end of a shaft protruding through an aperture in a skirted lid placed over an open end of said container for imparting a rotating motion to an agitator-mixing head at an end of said shaft opposite said protruding end, said skirted lid proving a snug fit sealing means between said container and said lid.    
     
     
         15 . Method, comprising: 
 mixing material in an open end container in response to an applied rotational force at one end of a shaft protruding through an aperture in a skirted lid placed over said open end of said container to impart a rotation motion to an agitator-mixing head at an end of said shaft opposite said protruding end, and    tilting said shaft at an angle with respect to the plane of an outwardly facing surface of said skirted lid for positioning said agitator-mixing head at any of a number of possible different desired positions within said container to insure through mixing of the material in said container    
     
     
         16 . The method as defined in  claim 15  further comprising forming a snug fit seal between the skirted lid and the outer peripheral surface of the container to restrict material within the container form splashing out during the mixing process.